Federal President, Federal Chancellor, Federal Ministries – almost everything that begins with “Bundes-” (Federal) is an official part of the Federal Republic. So one might also think that the Federal Press Conference (BPK) has something to do with “Bundespresse”. This is, of course, wrong. There is no federal press, but the Federal Press Conference does exist.
It is not a federal institution. It is an association, an independent union of journalists, and of special journalists only, namely those who report full-time on federal politics and parliament.
PARLIAMENTARY REPORTING
The 900 members are all parliamentary reporters, they elect the eight-member board once a year and finance the association with their membership fees. Only they and the accredited foreign correspondents from the Foreign Press Association (VAP) have access to the government press conferences, which take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Other journalists can only be admitted as guests in exceptional cases but have no right to ask questions.
BACKDROP FOR TV ANNOUNCEMENTS
The government press conferences take place in the hall of the Press House, whose blue back wall is familiar from the TV news. The black staircase leading up to the hall for the politicians, their spokespersons and the journalists is also a popular backdrop for TV announcements. What happens in the Federal Press Conference in front of the blue wall? In the middle sits the government spokesman, currently Steffen Hebestreit, or one of his deputies. In addition, all the ministries are represented. Their press spokespersons are also present when there is no current topic in the air for their department. If a question does arise, they are available to answer it.
INITIATIVE OF JOURNALISTS
The government spokesperson in the middle, however, is not the master of the proceedings. The host and moderator is a board member of the Federal Press Conference who welcomes the government spokesperson, gives him the floor and moderates the journalists’ questions. This construction is unique in the world. It is not the politicians who invite the journalists, but the journalists who invite the politicians.
SOMETIMES BORING, SOMETIMES EXPLOSIVE
Sometimes these press conferences are really boring and unproductive because the press spokespersons become more and more cautious. Often, they prefer to remain silent, albeit eloquent. Or they say, “I’m not at liberty to speak on that.” Or: “We have no findings on that.” Or: “I have nothing to add to that.” You can’t make articles out of such formulations. Of course, there are also press meetings where the room is electrically charged, the tension crackles, every word counts and a press spokesperson with sweat stains or a colleague with a rash on her décolleté signals how highly explosive a topic is. Occasionally there are colleagues who do not exactly help the institution’s reputation by trying the patience of spokespersons and fellow journalists with sometimes outlandish questions reminiscent of conspiracy theories or propaganda assignments. Nevertheless, the Federal Press Conference is an indispensable part of Germany. And must not be confused with the Federal Press Office.
Text Ewald König